01.12
LPD arrested 40-year-old Christopher Thornton, a LaFayette native with a Chattanooga address, after he dragged a state forest ranger across a parking lot with his car.
According to reports, Thornton pulled into the West LaFayette Kangaroo station around 2:30 Thursday afternoon with music blaring. After he began cursing, DNR wildlife officer Tim Gilbreath approached Thornton, asking him to cool the music and language. Thornton challenged Gilbreath’s authority, at which point the officer asked Thornton for ID. Thornton then grabbed Gilbreath’s arm and started driving away.
After getting free, Gilbreath attempted to follow Thornton in his own vehicle but lost the man on West Main. Thornton was picked up a short time later on Webb Wheeler Rd. and now faces five charges – only one of which stems from the original issue of loud music.
Wednesday morning thieves broke into cars, stole personal property (including guns), and even stole a few vehicles, in the Foster Mill Drive area south of town. Many of the cars were unlocked and the ones stolen had their keys left inside.
- WQCH Radio, 01/10/13: “A TRUCK AND A 4-WHEELER WERE STOLEN, AND SEVERAL THEFTS FROM VEHICLES WERE REPORTED IN A LAFAYETTE AREA CRIME-SPREE BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 5 AM WEDNESDAY.
- “THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN FROM THE RESIDENCE OF RANDALL AND BETH CAGLE ON FOSTER MILL DRIVE, BUT IT WAS RECOVERED, UNDAMAGED ON CHAMBERLAIN ROAD – ACCORDING TO SHERIFF STEVE WILSON. THE CAGLES’ USED CAR LOT WAS STRUCK BY CAR THIEVES LAST YEAR BUT THERE APPEARS TO BE NO CONNECTION, WILSON SAID.
- “TWO FIRE ARMS AND OTHER VALUABLES WERE TAKEN FROM THE UNLOCKED CARS, ONE AT FIELDSTONE FARMS NORTH OF LAFAYETTE THE OTHER TWO, SOUTH OF TOWN. ALL HAVE BEEN CONNECTED, THE SHERIFF SAID, DUE TO EVIDENCE FOUND. AN OPEN GARAGE WAS ALSO ENTERED AND ITEMS TAKEN AT A FOSTER MILL DRIVE RESIDENCE. THE 4-WHEELER WAS RECOVERED ON BROOMTOWN ROAD.
- .. “A REWARD HAS BEEN OFFERED FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO AN ARREST. ANONYMOUS TIPS CAN BE LEFT AT THE WEBSITE “WALKER S O (DOT) COM” OR TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE REWARD, TALK TO DETECTIVES AT 706 638 1909.”
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